For all the talk that President Obama has reconciled America with the rest of the world, I think it’s quite overlooked that Nicolas Sarkozy has resurrected the reputation of France. Sure, he’s still French through and through, particularly with his high-profile divorce and quickie marriage to a model shortly into his presidency. But his hawkishness has also brought France out of the do-nothing category in foreign affairs, which likely inspired the faux World War II headline on my bulletin board from The Onion: “French Surrender After Valiant Ten-Minute Struggle.” For all of Sarko’s brash mannerisms, he’s a big improvement over the Chiracs and Mitterands.

Unfortunately, Sarkozy suffered a fainting spell during jogging today, but Bloomberg’s update on the health scare sounds positive:

“Sarkozy, 54, was taken by helicopter to the Val-de-Grace military hospital in Paris. Monitoring of his heart will continue until tomorrow, according to the statement, which added that this is normal procedure in such cases. Medical tests on Sarkozy so far have been ‘normal,’ it said.

‘A clinical examination and further neurological tests are normal,’ the statement said. ‘Cardiological monitoring, which is standard practice in such cases, will continue until tomorrow.’

Sarkozy, who is regularly photographed jogging, was out running on the grounds of the Chateau de Versailles when he was taken ill. Temperatures in Versailles, near where Sarkozy was jogging, today reached 27 degrees Celsius (80.6 Fahrenheit), according to Meteo France.

The president suffered a problem with his vagus nerve, Agence France-Presse said, citing an unidentified aide. The nerve extends from the brain to the abdomen and can be affected by a condition known as vasovagal syncope, which reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, particularly if the victim is dehydrated. Patients can faint but normally make a complete recovery, AFP said, citing medical experts.”

Sarkozy’s office has canceled his meetings for tomorrow, but he should be back on schedule Tuesday.

(Photo by Chris Ratcliffe-Pool/Getty Images)